saints (n.) - NFL franchise presently based in New Orleans; boondoggle (n.) - an unnecessary or wasteful project or activity; saintsdoggle (n.) - the Saints' potential relocation situation in New Orleans, and the resulting boondoggle by Louisiana to keep the team from leaving

Monday, May 01, 2006

Draft reaction, and kudos to Tommy Boy

Wow, what a weekend. What a turn of events. And what a historic day for the Saints.

It all started Friday night, with the Texans' stunning announcement that Mario Williams would be the No. 1 pick in the draft. No offense to Williams, who seems like an incredibly nice and humble guy, but the Texans flat out blew it. Here's to hoping Mario wasn't the direction of the boos both at Radio City in New York and the draft day "party" at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Texans' brass bears the blame, and should get the boos for deciding to go with a guy with "potential" rather than the highest-graded and most proven draft prospect in NFL history. Houston fans were teased with Vince Young and Reggie Bush for months. After a grueling 2-14 campaign, don't Texans supporters deserve better than an end that got sacks in just 16 of 36 games?

Oh well. It all spells sweetness for New Orleans, which happily accepted Houston's gift of Reggie Bush as the No. 2 selection.

And here's one you won't see often on this site - a congratulatory kudos to Saints owner Tom Benson. Tommy Boy, you've taken some pretty bone-headed stances over the last couple of years, but when given the opportunity to draft someone of Bush's caliber, you told your guys to make it happen. Saints fans haven't been this excited since the playoff win over the Rams six years ago. You gave Saints fans a reason to believe and to buy season tickets. From what I've heard, they're going to be selling like hot cakes.

The pick also gives fans a reason to have FAITH that you do intend to keep the Saints in New Orleans. When presented an opportunity to trade down and get someone at a lower price, you rejected it and went with the more expensive - and right - move for the Saints, their fans, and the city of New Orleans. The team will be better just for having such a tremendous offensive weapon in its arsenal. The fans, who have been through so much, are thrilled with their team's potential. And the Superdome will be packed every Sunday this fall, providing a boost to New Orleans' economy.

So Tom Benson, I say great job. Keep up the good work, and keep fighting the good fight. Because you won't see passion from fans anywhere else in the country like you saw Saturday afternoon when Reggie Bush donned the fleur-de-lis for the first time, and when he made his first appearance in Metairie.

The Reggie Bush Pick may well be remembered as the moment that truly saved the Saints from relocation. And, with a little help from Houston, Tommy Boy made it happen.